LAZARUS
Suggested Reading: John 11
(click scripture link to read online)
These are tombs of the sons of Hezir found in the Kidron Valley between the Mount of Olives and the Old City walls of Jerusalem. Hezir was one of the priests in the time of King David listed in 1 Chronicles 24:15.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live…”
It’s natural to fear death as it remains filled with the unknown. Nevertheless, we can say with Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). People everywhere are filled with despair when they contemplate their death because they think of it as the final reality. Jesus exploded that myth and opened the doors for us to see the triumph, the joy, the celebration that is ours through believing in Him. This is the message that our dying world needs to hear. To move forward into the Church and to discover where we come into the resurrection picture, please read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, thank You for weeping over the loss of Lazarus. You are there for me when I mourn. Please give me grace to live with the secure knowledge that I need not fear death. Please enable me to weep with those who weep, bringing to all the comfort with which I am comforted. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve spoken the words of our key verse at many graves. Without fail, I think on those occasions, “This could be the moment of Christ’s return,” as is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. After Norma-Jean and I sold her birthplace farm, we wanted to take all of our children and grandchildren to visit my family roots. To do this, we rented a bus (it had the seats around the sides rather than behind each other). What a great time of family fellowship we had as we visited significant sites from my childhood. One stop we made was at the cemetery in the little village of Elgin, Ontario, where we visited the graves of my ancestors on my father’s side, right back to my great-great-grandmother. Of course, I had stories about them all. Then I did something which shocked my children and grandchildren. You may think this was morbid, but I wanted to make the point that we need not fear death. I laid down on the spot where, if Jesus does not come first, my body will be buried. I could not help but notice some shocked looks on faces around me. Then, those looks gave way to laughter. We rejoiced in our faith that this will not be my final state. Norma-Jean’s plot is beside mine. She informed everyone that she believes Jesus will return before she needs it. She made it clear that she dose not intend to use that plot!
Yours for life in this world and in the world to come,
David
Thank you Mr. Mainse,
It is so wonderful to know Jesus and what He does, and has done for us.
I pray everyday that my Parents, my Husband, my Family and Friends will know him and follow him.
Thank you for this blog 🙂
Diane
I pray for mine as well Daine and he is wonderful
Lianne Hogg
Amen !
Your blog is always amazingly timely, David! Just yesterday I asked my wife if she feared death. She said she was not afraid, she just didn’t want it to hurt! We both have faith in life after death, in Christ. One thing that means something to me about our life and God raising us up spiritually, is that we have already been brought into life … this life we live. So the possibility of the next step, has already been once accomplished! Just as the seed dies and brings forth life. Thanks and praise be to God our father.
Isn’t this such an amazing truth David? We are so blessed that we have evwrlasting life right here right now! The thought kind of blows you away, doesn’t it?
You have a great sense of humour David, while conveying a very important lesson. Society is death-denying and therefore greatly fears ANYTHING associated with it. Perhaps that is why the gospel seems stalled in North America … If we’re too pre-occupied with our own selves and our daily desires,
what need have we for a gospel that saves, for we’re far too busy enjoying the moment.
Thank you for today’s message David. I have heard some wonderful messages given at funerals to people who may never have heard the gospel and would possibly never have sat through a message that presented the gospel in such a way that the listeners had no choice but to accept or reject Christ. Since you cannot give the message at each of your reader’s funerals, would you consider printing the message that you have given often at funerals so we could file it away and be sure that the true gospel will be given at our funerals? Many thanks.
Good day, everyone. I certainly hope that Norma Jean is right, about the return of the Savior I mean. I personally do not have a burial plot and I don’t think I’ll bother. What do you think of that, Norma Jean? I will never have the experiences with my kids and Grandkids that you two have had with yours as I am estranged from my family. It’s just the LORD and I these days ( and of course, all of you guys ) In any case, I agree with Scott today 100%. So many people I know have no concern about what comes after death. Sad thing. Lord Jesus, please open their hearts to the mind boggling things that await those who have accepted Him snd love Him! Amen.
I agree with you, George. People have it backwards about life and death. So blessed to know, Jesus, like you, and the rest of the bloggers. 🙂
Those who do not know the Lord are like Lazarus, dead and wrapped in grave cloths. When we hear the Lord calling for us to ‘come’ as he did Lazarus, and we heed that call, we too will have our grave cloths removed and will be brought to life…a new life in Him. Sometimes the grave cloths do not all fall off at once, depending on our depth of belief and surrender. May we each continue to shed those grave cloths that keep us bound and also not add any others through conforming to this world! Like others who posted above, I pray for loved ones who are still ‘bound.’
Dear David: Your blogs are so inspiring. – may God continue to give you His strength daily. I appreciate you and Norma Jean as well as your family – a wonderful heritage. I’m so thankful to God for saving our marriage and family. Six years ago today, God took my husband of 57 years home. The day before, he asked me to release him as he saw Jesus who was calling him, He passed away with a smile on his face. I’m looking forward to seeing him again as well as a son who is also in heaven. Both men were vibrant Christians. Because of Jesus I don’t fear death – it’s just a transition. Marianne
Excellent post, today, David. Thank you, for your constant reminders, to keep our hearts focused on Jesus, and to be fearless about the future. God bless you!
To Beverlee Kay; thanks for the kind words today but, ( just between you and I ) I’m still very much a work in progress! I’m trying hard to get to know the LORD but , I’m afraid that we’re still getting acquainted! Have mercy on me, JESUS, a sinner! May GOD bless you, dear. AMEN.
I commend you with your transparancy, George. You are on the right path which is a journey for us all, for, as you know, nobody, but One, is perfect. And YES, aint technology great!!
Thankyou
Thank u for your blog David.
Like u I lost a parent when I was 14 years old.
He never knew the Lord but I loved him.
He was a very kind and gentle man.
When I was in a marriage that was violent I cried out to him.
I was so desparate.
He never answered but Father God did.
I was saved. I was delivered and I was redeemed.
My conversion was radical.
My thoughts are always with the Lord now.
I continually thank God for my family and I pray for them always.
Some I am able to share the gospel with and some not but still I hold them up to the throne room of grace.
Father God justs says to love them so that is what I do.
Some people have been so damaged, so hurt they do not even know that they are loveable and that God loves them
When I was first saved I read the chapter on love. Love is patient, love is kind, it never keeps any records of wrongs, it is not easily angered, it always hopes, always perserves, etc.
There will be an end to prophecy and speaking in tongues but there will be not end to love.
In simple terms Jesus showed the love of the father.
Even a child can understand that.
My prayer is to extend love, mercy and grace.
Anything that is good in me is because of God.
It is no longer I that liveth but Christ that liveth in me.
I am by no means perfect but I am learning to run to God with everything and pray about everything even when I am angry, hurting, alone and feeling lost.
Some days I pray w/o ceasing b/c the days seem to merit prayer.
In Christ
Mellany